4 Big Reasons Why Drones and Macadamia Farming Make Complete Sense
Could this be the perfect AgTech couple?
In recent years, the agricultural sector has witnessed a revolutionary transformation in the way traditional farming practices are conducted. One of the most groundbreaking innovations has been the utilisation of drones to replace (or accompany) various farming operations.
In particular, the use of drones in macadamia farming has emerged as a noticeable game-changer. With expansive orchard territories, and rising costs of inputs, there’s a fine line being drawn between that which simply works “well enough” and that which works really well, faster, and more reliably.
A summary of the 4 big reasons I think drones are a perfect fit:
Precise aerial surveys
Efficient and cost-effective
Helps in making data-backed decisions
Supports environmental sustainability
Drones are offering unparalleled advantages over conventional methods of orchard monitoring and management. And best of all, certain drone surveys are being used to compliment conventional methods that work in specific situations or specific locations.
For example, traditional in-field soil and leaf sample collections are being guided by drone survey metrics for sampling in areas representing poor, medium, and best performing zones, or to locate individual trees. This approach not only works with the idea pf precision farming but improves on in-field efficiencies and paves the way for data-backed decision making based on data-backed first principles.
Similarly, nut quality or nut-in-husk size sampling, is being conducted quickly and easily via AI-generated sample tree locations that works off drone survey metrics, providing exact waypoints for in-field collections from trees that are most representative of the orchard - critical for extrapolations that provide holistic orchard figures and accurate per-tree information better than any thumb-suck or seasoned glance at the orchard could give you.
Best of all, drone-based solutions are not only proving useful in conjunction with traditional practices, but UAV solutions can be stacked into a suite of high-impact technological aids.
An example of tech or solution-stacking would be something like making use of a drone survey to pick up high stress zones, and where an in-field inspection reveals a nutrient deficiency, or pest prevalence above a predetermined threshold. A spraying drone would be deployed to apply foliar feed fertiliser, bio-stimulants, growth inhibitors, etc… either variably or for spot-spraying, or to apply the relevant pesticide - or bait - depending on the scenario.
Furthermore, drones can be deployed to administer beneficial insects (predators) to an area swiftly an efficiently where there’s an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy that calls for it, as opposed to the spraying or baiting approach - this is of course scenario specific - and can be done across the board, or in specific locations or orchards.
With drone technologies that support farming operations, one can take as broad or as granular approach as is necessary or feasible. As always, we need to take into account costs, time, expertise, and hardware (or service provider) availability and competence, but tech-stacking drone solutions with in-field operations and “on-paper” strategies can bring about some amazing results.
Drone use in farming is all about using leverage (with streamlined interoperability) for increased efficiencies and optimal efficacy of any efforts and resources spent on improving orchard performance overall. And when executed correctly, drone use and farming can prove to be a true ROI machine.
1. Precision Aerial Surveys
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors can capture detailed aerial imagery with a bird’s eye view of the orchards. This capability allows production teams to monitor tree health, identify pest and disease prone areas, and assess soil conditions (especially those related to poor drainage or differing soil types) with unprecedented accuracy.
We are now able to get down to per-tree level accuracy with each and every tree represented by a set of metrics and values derived from the drone flight. Each tree’s GPS coordinate in essence its Identification number, and its set of metrics representing its own unique characteristics.
These metrics may change over time, and this is where the power of multiple flights at strategic phenological stages and.or at year-on-year intervals reveals whether trees, orchard zones, whole orchards, or the complete farming operation is moving in the right direction in line with goals set out in the management plans tailored after the initial drone survey, and accompanying orchard interventions or farming practice optimisations.
By providing near real-time data, drones empower farmers and industry consultants to make informed decisions and implement action plans focused on targeted interventions, ultimately leading to improved yields and profitability over time.
2. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Traditional methods of orchard monitoring, such as manual inspections, or analysing lower resolution satellite imagery, are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and can prove to be expensive.
In contrast, drones offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative. Drones can cover large areas of land in a fraction of the time it would take for traditional methods, reducing labor costs and minimising the need for human intervention or an exorbitant amount of man hours in-field, or simply to avoid hard-to-reach or remote areas of the farm.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
The data collected by drones can be processed using advanced analytics tools to generate valuable insights for farmers. These insights can include detailed maps of tree health, nutrient levels in the soil, and the presence of pests or diseases. By leveraging this information, farmers can develop customised management plans tailored to the specific needs of their orchards, maximising productivity while minimising environmental impact.
Doubt - and often enormous margins for error - creep in where data is more qualitative than quantitative.
Sure, some drone imagery and survey results are more representative than what they are binary in nature (displayed with colours, and zones, comparative gradients, and other visual tools) but for the most part these are combined or compared to in a side-by-side fashion with precise quantitative data outputs.
Representative and factual data, together with “human intelligence” expertise on farm, cumulatively enable decision making backed by data; not simply opinions or best-guesses.
4. Environmental Sustainability
Drones are playing a crucial role in promoting sustainable farming practices, specifically in the macadamia industry - it’s an exciting time!
By enabling targeted interventions, such as precision spraying of fertilisers or pesticides, drones help reduce the overall use of agrochemicals (costly inputs) and in turn help in minimising their impact on the environment and the surrounding ecosystems.
Additionally, by optimising resource management based on near real-time data, drones contribute to the efficient use of water and other essential resources like fertilisers distributed through irrigation systems themselves, further enhancing the efficiency and supporting the sustainability of macadamia farming operations. Cost savings alone, contribute in a major way to an operation’s sustainability goals.
Paired with the positive spin-off’s that drone surveys and targeted in-field interventions bring, the improvements in soil health, tree health, yield quality, and streamlined labour use contribute in a major way to farming sustainability - once again, if done right.
In conclusion, the use of drones in macadamia farming represents a significant advancement in agricultural technology, offering unparalleled advantages in precision, efficiency, and overall enhanced sustainability for the farming operation. Tech-stacking - utilising these digital tools effectively - helps to add a layer of resilience to the farming operation, all the while reducing doubt and doing away with speculation.
By harnessing the power of drones, farmers can truly revolutionise their orchard management practices, leading to healthier trees, improved soil health, impressive tonnages.
As the technology continues to evolve, the potential for drones to transform the macadamia industry into an example of how precision and tradition can work side-by-side to produce previously unfathomable results… is almost limitless.
Drones and complimentary technologies are promising a more sustainable and profitable future for macadamia farmers worldwide, but it’s up to us to take up the opportunity in earnest and to run with it.
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Drone use, and all the specifics you need to know to get the most out of the tech.
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